Mechanical Engineer

Sr Mechanical Design Engineer Data Centers

This role focuses on leading mechanical design for large, mission-critical data centers, with a particular emphasis on secure and air-gapped cloud environments. You will serve as the lead engineer on complex projects, overseeing design quality, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and managing budgets, schedules, and project documentation from concept through completion.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design efforts for large data center projects, including secure and air-gapped cloud facilities.
• Develop and review mechanical engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for HVAC and ME systems.
• Own project management responsibilities, serving as the lead design engineer for assigned projects.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee QA/QC activities to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with project requirements.
• Manage and mentor design staff, providing technical guidance and ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Integrate and coordinate work across multiple disciplines, including mechanical, plumbing, and related MEP fields.
• Manage project budgets and schedules, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Handle RFIs and other project documentation, ensuring timely and clear communication with stakeholders.
• Perform mechanical and plumbing design work for data center infrastructure, including specialized systems for secure environments.
• Collaborate with stakeholders working on cloud and data center programs to align mechanical design with operational needs.
• Ensure designs adhere to relevant standards and guidelines, including those related to Tempest and ICD-705.
• Participate in site visits as needed to review existing conditions, support installation, and verify that construction aligns with design intent.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience in mechanical design for large data centers.
• Strong proficiency with mechanical engineering design tools, including Revit and AutoCAD.
• Deep knowledge of HVAC systems and mechanical engineering (ME) design for mission-critical facilities.
• Experience with MEP design, integrating mechanical systems with electrical and plumbing components.
• Demonstrated expertise in Tempest and ICD-705 requirements.
• Proven project management experience, including leading design efforts and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage budgets, schedules, and RFIs for complex engineering projects.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant mechanical engineering and design experience.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to guide design staff and collaborate with project stakeholders.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on large-scale cloud and data center programs, including air-gapped environments.
• Proficient in mechanical and plumbing design for high-security or specialized facilities.
• Ability to interpret and apply standards related to secure facility design.
• Comfort working in a fully remote environment while maintaining high levels of collaboration and accountability.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites when required.

Work Environment

This position operates in a primarily remote work environment, offering the flexibility to work from home while collaborating closely with distributed project teams. You will work with industry-standard design tools such as Revit and AutoCAD and contribute to large, complex data center projects that support secure and air-gapped cloud programs. Travel to project sites will be required as needed to perform site assessments, support construction, and verify installation against design documents. Onsite work may involve coordination with field teams and reviewing mechanical and plumbing installations in active data center environments.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Arlington, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $160000.00 - $200000.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.